Celebrating 25 Years of Thranhardt Awards

PAST THRANHARDT HONOREES WILL CONVENE IN BOSTON TO MARK A QUARTER-CENTURY OF CUTTING-EDGE PRESENTATIONS

AONE-OF-A-KIND MEETING OF elite O&P researchers will take place when AOPA celebrates the 25th anniversary of the Thranhardt Awards during the National Assembly in Boston. Dozens of O&P professionals who have been winners of the Thranhardt Lecture Series—an award established by J.E. Hanger Inc. in 1995 in memory of Howard R. Thranhardt recognizing individuals committed to advancing orthotic and prosthetic research and education—will be honored during the Howard R. Thranhardt Award 25th Anniversary Celebration and Luncheon Friday, September 10.

Often described as a man ahead of his time, Howard R. Thranhardt spent his career advocating for O&P education and research before most other stakeholders understood the value of investing in those areas. “Education of the field, not only at home but also abroad, was very important to my father,” says H.E. “Ted” Thranhardt, CPO(E), Howard’s son, and a past president of AOPA, the American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists, and American Board for Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics, & Pedorthics.

Given Howard’s background (see sidebar on page 41), it’s no surprise that the presentations shared by winners over the past 25 years at AOPA and Academy meetings have been of the highest caliber, and in many cases have provided evidence for the value of specific orthotic and prosthetic components and interventions. “The Thranhardt Awards are associated with the best, most interesting presentations in the field,” says Jason Kahle, MSMS, CPO, FAAOP, a past award winner (1998, 2002, and 2012). Each year, the Thranhardt sessions boast “a room full of the best O&P scientific minds.”

H.E. “Ted” Thranhardt, CPO(E)

An Evolution in O&P Research

A look back at the presentations honored with Thranhardt Awards over the past quarter-century demonstrates a steady progression in O&P research. “It has been exciting to see the evolution of research in O&P, as in many ways, [the award] has reflected the changes of O&P from a device-oriented industry to a patient-care industry that is heavily embedded within the rehabilitation team,” explains Shane Wurdeman, MSPO, PhD,

CP, FAAOP(D), director of clinical research at Hanger Clinic and AOPA research chair, and a Thranhardt Award winner in 2014, 2019, and 2021.

Some of the first presentations were simple case studies, but more recent presentations are based on randomized clinical trials or systematic reviews. “We’ve raised the bar as a profession and as a scientific community,” adds Kahle.

“The quality of research has increased significantly over the past decade,” agrees Andreas Hahn, MSc, PhD, corporate vice president of clinical research and services at Otto Bock Healthcare Products GmbH, and a Thranhardt Award winner in 2014 and 2019. Hahn also is a nominee this year. “The cohorts become larger, the study designs and the analysis more sophisticated. All research topics are well-selected, providing a great oversight over the field. It is also fantastic to see how new talents get and use their chance to present their work.”

The inaugural Thranhardt Awards were presented to Donald Shurr, CPO, during the 1996 AOPA National Assembly in Cincinnati and the 1996 Academy Meeting in Orlando. His presentations on “Physiological Measurements of Gait During Walking and Running in Transtibial Amputees” and “Flex-Foot Vs. SACH Foot” marked a turning point in the emphasis put on O&P research. Shurr, who had expertise in both physical therapy and O&P, was affiliated with the University of Iowa Department of Orthopaedics

Jason Kahle, MSMS, CPO, FAAOP

Andreas Hahn, MSc, PhD

Honoring a Pioneer in O&P Education

The annual Thranhardt Lecture Series was created in 1995 in memory of Howard R. Thranhardt, CP, recognizing individuals committed to advancing orthotic and prosthetic research and education. The first awards were bestowed in 1996 at the AOPA National Assembly in Cincinnati and the Academy Annual Meeting in Orlando. They are presented annually in the spirit of providing education and information to the O&P field—a priority for the man for whom the awards were named.

As a young man, Howard never intended to pursue the O&P profession, and instead he studied general education and physical education in college—eventually earning a master’s degree in education, according to his son, H.E. “Ted” Thranhardt, CPO. However, when Howard’s brother-in-law, Daniel A. McKeever, CP, was called to active duty as a first lieutenant during World War II, Howard’s mother-in-law asked him to run the family O&P business in downtown Atlanta. Howard heeded the call and stepped in to manage J.E. Hanger (Hanger Southeast). He became a national leader in O&P during the post World War II period, emphasizing research and expanded learning to elevate the field.

“He championed, early on, education in the field,” says Ted, who will be in Boston for the celebration. “My dad came into this business not knowing the craftsmanship, but he had studied anatomy, kinesiology, and biomechanics” as part of his physical education training. The elder Thranhardt pushed for education and for policies and procedures to be documented and shared among the profession. “He felt strongly that we needed a written base of knowledge,” explains Ted. He applauded any attempt to write down and teach an O&P curriculum, and he offered free education to employees at his own company.

Howard got involved with the Committee on Prosthetics Research and Development and helped secure funding for prosthetics research and education, then pushed for the first O&P short-course programs at New York University and University of California—Los Angeles to develop written documentation for clinical training. He also was among the early supporters who contributed to the success of Northwestern University’s Prosthetics-Orthotics Center.

Howard served the industry associations, including tenures as president of AOPA (1975-1976) and American Board for Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics, & Pedorthics (1960-1961). He also spent time “traveling the world” in his quest to elevate the profession. “He helped establish rehab programs” in Egypt, Pakistan, Cuba, Venezuela, and Argentina, according to Ted. He also sought to “bring ideas and technologies back” from other countries to improve patient care in the United States. Ted points to this quote from A. Bennett Wilson Jr. about his father, published in his obituary in Prosthetics and Orthotics International: Howard “perhaps more than anyone else in the United States has contributed to the transition of prosthetics and orthotics from a craft to a profession.” Given his influence, it was only natural to create a legacy of advancing O&P research and education by establishing the Thranhardt Award.

and sought to grow and elevate O&P educational offerings. By the time he was recognized with the awards, “I had published a lot of papers with PTs and doctors,” and had come to recognize that more O&P clinicians should delve into research, he says.

Shurr believes the Thranhardt Award was instrumental in motivating prosthetists and orthotists to try their hand at clinical research—starting with answering clinical questions at a low level. “The award provided a push to convince CPOs they could do research, and influenced O&P schools to incorporate research into their curricula,” he says. “I was very honored to be nominated as a Thranhardt lecturer, and I was glad to show other people that CPOs could do this. And that’s made an impact on the care we provide patients.”

Kahle, a five-time nominee and three-time winner, agrees that the transformation of the types of presentations selected over the years demonstrates how far the O&P field has advanced. He spent the early part of his career as a clinician, engaging in research on the side; he also spent time in academia and now serves as CEO of OP Solutions in Tampa, Florida, a company that offers clinical resources for the O&P community. His Thranhardt presentations were designed “to put some evidence behind” untested hypotheses about the efficacy of new O&P interventions. Kahle’s 1998 presentation studied the value of pin systems and silicone in sockets compared to more traditional sockets; and in 2002, he studied the benefits of newer ischial containment sockets compared to conventional quad sockets. In 2005, his presentation (which was nominated but did not win that year’s award) was the first of several important studies focusing on the “hot topic” of microprocessor knees (MPKs). By providing evidence that MPK technology helped reduce falls by 64 percent and stumbles by 59 percent, Kahle contributed to the decision by payors to reimburse for the more effective devices.

Being honored with Thranhardt Awards has been fulfilling to Kahle. “I’m proud of my research—you put a lot of time, effort, and money into these studies, so having the forum [at the AOPA and Academy meetings] and recognition from peers is great,” he says. He makes it a point to attend the Thranhardt sessions, even when he’s not a nominee. “You always learn something.” Donald Shurr, CPO

Brian Hafner, PhD

A Unique Forum

Past Thranhardt recipients are grateful for the opportunity to present their research at the AOPA and Academy venues, surrounded by their colleagues. “The Thranhardt Award is an incredible recognition of one’s work,” says Hahn. “The Thranhardt lecture offers a very special platform to stimulate insight and discussion.”

“There aren’t a lot of ways where [O&P] investigators can be singled out for exceptional work, so it means a lot” to be recognized with a Thranhardt nomination or award, says Brian Hafner, PhD, a professor at the University of Washington (UW) and UW’s Center on Outcomes Research and Rehabilitation. Hafner was nominated four times and received the Thranhardt Award in 2006 and 2013. Because the awards are presented during general sessions, “you have the whole audience there” when presenting your study to AOPA National Assembly or Academy meeting attendees.

The annual award presentations also serve to motivate attendees to strive for excellence, says Wurdeman. “I recall attending my first Thranhardt lecture,” as an O&P student, he says. “In that environment, eager to learn as much as I could about the profession I was undertaking, I was enamored by the standard of excellence that was set by the Thranhardt lecture. For the lecture to have all audience attendance without competition made it very obvious that this was the research that was viewed by the profession as the work that would continue to advance O&P.”

As young researchers make their mark on the O&P profession, earning the honor of Thranhardt nominee becomes an important goal. “One of my favorite things about O&P is the community, and within that community is an even smaller community of researchers,” says Wurdeman. “Being a part of that community, I have had the opportunity to interact with many previous Thranhardt recipients. The common thread I find across all of the O&P researchers is passion for their work, and a deep desire to help patients that require O&P care.”

As O&P stakeholders gather in Boston, many new memories will be made. The Thranhardt presentations will be part of the 25th Anniversary Celebration and Luncheon, attended in-person by many past honorees— with an introductory speech by Ted Thranhardt. He believes his father “would be delighted that we have the educational and research opportunities” available today. “He truly believed that education of the field—not only at home but also abroad—was the best way to improve patient care.”

EDITOR’S NOTE: For a complete list of Thranhardt winners over the years, visit www.AOPAnet.org.

Shane Wurdeman, MSPO, PhD, CP, FAAOP(D)